Prime Minister Joseph Muscat this afternoon hailed the introduction of civil unions and said that next on the list would be the decriminalisation of some drugs when in small amounts and for first time offenders.

Speaking at a Labour Party press conference, Dr Muscat said that he was proud that he formed part of a party which was the agent of change.

He said that the PN had traditionally opposed change,  recalling its objection to  universal suffrage, the decriminalisation of homosexuality, and now civil unions.

The legislation on civil unions, he said, was the natural step forward for the country. This was not simply a question of minority rights but an issue on what kind of society the Maltese want to live in.Malta now had a truly European society based on equality. Ironically the party which fought for EU membership did not support the civil unions bill, he said.

The prime minister said that this was also a development which put responsibilities on same-sex couples.

He said that none of the amendments tabled by the Opposition would have given more rights to the gay community, and they were therefore not supported by the government.

The PN, he said, had contradicted itself by abstaining on the civil unions bill, but then voted for a constitutional amendment against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

Simon Busuttil, he said, had acted like Pontius Pilate. He had shown himself to be weak and was afraid to give a free vote to the Opposition. In contrast, former PM Lawrence Gonzi who had voted against divorce, was credible as he was not afraid to express his position.

Dr Muscat disputed the view mentioned by Dr Busuttil that society was not ready for gay adoptions.

Civil Liberties Minister Helena Dalli said that she was not surprise by the PN's stance, saying that even in 1973 the party had argued for the postponement of the bill which decriminalised adultery and homosexuality. She said that history had repeated itself 40 years on.

She also recounted that when the bill was discussed at committee stage, an expert said that adopted children of  same-sex parents would have a normal upbringing. Dr Dalli also recounted how former PM Lawrence Gonzi said that the parents' sexual orientation should not factor in the decision whether to adopt or not.